Volatiles and Antifungal-Antibacterial-Antiviral Activity of South African Salvia spp. Essential Oils Cultivated in Uniform Conditions

Spontaneous emissions of S. dentata Aiton and S. scabra Thunb., as well as the essential oil (EO) composition of the cited species, together with S. aurea L., were investigated. The chemical profile of the first two species is reported here for the first time. Moreover, in vitro tests were performed to evaluate the antifungal activity of these EOs on Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and Fusarium solani. Secondly, the EO antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus pseudointermedius was examined, and their antiviral efficacy against the H1N1 influenza virus was assessed. Leaf volatile organic compounds (VOCs), as well as the EOs obtained from the arial part of Salvia scabra, were characterized by a high percentage of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (97.8% and 76.6%, respectively), mostly represented by an equal amount of germacrene D (32.8% and 32.7%, respectively). Both leaf and flower spontaneous emissions of S. dentata, as well as the EO composition, showed a prevalence of monoterpenes divided into a more or less equal amount of hydrocarbon and oxygenated compounds. Interestingly, its EO had a non-negligible percentage of oxygenated sesquiterpenes (29.5%). S. aurea EO, on the contrary, was rich in sesquiterpenes, both hydrocarbons and oxygenated compounds (41.5% and 33.5%, respectively). S. dentata EO showed good efficacy (Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC): 0.5%) against M. canis. The tested EOs were not active against E. coli and S. aureus, whereas a low inhibition of S. dentata EO was observed on S. pseudointermedius (MIC = 10%). Once again, S. dentata EO showed a very good H1N1 inhibition; contrariwise, S. aurea EO was completely inactive against this virus. The low quantity of S. scabra EO made it impossible to test its biological activity. S. dentata EO exhibited interesting new perspectives for medicinal and industrial uses.     

Reverse roughening transition in carbon dioxide

We report the observation of a roughening transition in carbon dioxide along the melting line of phase I, which we call reverse as faceting appears with increasing temperature. The characteristics of the transition are discussed in light of modern theories of roughening and the causes of its reverse behavior investigated. We propose that high temperature faceting is related to a pressure-induced increase of the surface stiffness.     

Firing-Induced Microstructural Properties of Quasi-Diamagnetic Carbonate-Based Porous Ceramics: a <Superscript>1</Superscript>H NMR Relaxation Correlation Study

This study deals with the application of two-dimensional proton nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry (2D ¹H NMR-R) to the characterization of porous ceramics nearly free of magnetic compounds. Different microstructural properties were obtained by firing a diamagnetic mixture of kaolin, calcium, and magnesium carbonate over a wide range of maximum temperatures (600–1100 °C) and firing times at the maximum temperature (soaking times) (0–10 h). The 2D ¹H NMR-R method relies on the correlated measurement of ¹H longitudinal (T ₁) and transverse (T ₂) relaxation times of pore-filling water by which the properties of the interconnected pore space may be investigated. In the absence of significant magnetic susceptibility effect due to para- and ferro-magnetic compounds, the 2D ¹H NMR-R maps allow studying the conjoint effects on pore size distribution and inter-pore coupling due to the variations in both time and temperature of firing. The NMR experiments were performed with a low-field ¹H NMR sensor, which allows non-destructive and in situ analysis. For ceramic specimens fired at 600 and 700 °C, the fraction of smallest pores increases with firing time at the expenses of those with intermediate size. The pore shrinkage occurring at this stage, and likely associated with the transformation of kaolinite in metakaolinite, is affected in a similar way by soaking time and firing temperature, in line with the concept of equivalent firing temperature. At temperatures from 800 to 1100 °C, the structural modifications involving interconnectivity and average pore size are driven primarily by firing temperature and, secondarily, by soaking time. The 2D ¹H NMR-R results are confirmed by more traditional, but destructive, mineralogical, and structural analyses like X-ray powder diffraction, helium pycnometry, mercury intrusion porosimetry, and nitrogen adsorption/desorption method.     

Multiplexed Determination of Amino‐Terminal Pro‐B‐Type Natriuretic Peptide and C‐Reactive Protein Cardiac Biomarkers in Human Serum at a Disposable Electrochemical Magnetoimmunosensor

A rapid magnetoimmunosensor for the simultaneous determination of two cardiac biomarkers, amino‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) and C‐reactive protein (CRP), in human serum is described. Specific capture antibodies were covalently immobilized onto carboxylic acid‐modified magnetic beads. The quantification of NT‐proBNP and CRP was performed by using indirect competitive and sandwich configurations, respectively, and horseradish peroxidase‐labeled tracers. The use of dual screen‐printed carbon electrodes allowed the achievement of simultaneous independent amperometric readout for each cardiac biomarker. The developed methodology showed very low limits of detection (0.47 ng mL^?1). An international standard for CRP serum spiked with NT‐proBNP was analyzed to evaluate the usefulness of the magnetoimmunosensor.     

Evidence for Electron Transfer between Graphene and Non-Covalently Bound π-Systems

Hybridizing graphene and molecules possess a high potential for developing materials for new applications. However, new methods to characterize such hybrids must be developed. Herein, the wet-chemical non-covalent functionalization of graphene with cationic π-systems is presented and the interaction between graphene and the molecules is characterized in detail. A series of tricationic benzimidazolium salts with various steric demand and counterions was synthesized, characterized and used for the fabrication of graphene hybrids. Subsequently, the doping effects were studied. The molecules are adsorbed onto graphene and studied by Raman spectroscopy, XPS as well as ToF-SIMS. The charged π-systems show a p-doping effect on the underlying graphene. Consequently, the tricationic molecules are reduced through a partial electron transfer process from graphene, a process which is accompanied by the loss of counterions. DFT calculations support this hypothesis and the strong p-doping could be confirmed in fabricated monolayer graphene/hybrid FET devices. The results are the basis to develop sensor applications, which are based on analyte/molecule interactions and effects on doping.     

Methods for Studying Endocytotic Pathways of Herpesvirus Encoded G Protein-Coupled Receptors

Endocytosis is a fundamental process involved in trafficking of various extracellular and transmembrane molecules from the cell surface to its interior. This enables cells to communicate and respond to external environments, maintain cellular homeostasis, and transduce signals. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute a family of receptors with seven transmembrane alpha-helical domains (7TM receptors) expressed at the cell surface, where they regulate physiological and pathological cellular processes. Several herpesviruses encode receptors (vGPCRs) which benefits the virus by avoiding host immune surveillance, supporting viral dissemination, and thereby establishing widespread and lifelong infection, processes where receptor signaling and/or endocytosis seem central. vGPCRs are rising as potential drug targets as exemplified by the cytomegalovirus-encoded receptor US28, where its constitutive internalization has been exploited for selective drug delivery in virus infected cells. Therefore, studying GPCR trafficking is of great importance. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge of endocytic and cell localization properties of vGPCRs and methodological approaches used for studying receptor internalization. Using such novel approaches, we show constitutive internalization of the BILF1 receptor from human and porcine γ-1 herpesviruses and present motifs from the eukaryotic linear motif (ELM) resources with importance for vGPCR endocytosis.     

MIR imaging bundles of ordered silver halide polycrystalline fibres for thermal transmission and imaging

This study aims to experimentally examine the energy-saving potential by using R-134a filled separated two-phase thermosiphon loop (STPTL) for data center applications. A parametric study had been made to compare the energy consumption of two data center racks. Two fin-and-tube heat exchangers were attached to one of the racks to form two individual thermosiphon loops. The experiments were carried out subject to different operating conditions, including three ambient temperatures (20 °C, 23 °C, and 27 °C) and filling ratios ranging from 30 to 90% in association with heating loads ranging between 1.5 kW and 6 kW. Parametric influences regarding concentrated heat loading or uniform heat loading are studied. It was found that an appreciable energy-savings can be obtained at high filling ratios and a maximum of 49% energy-saving with the assistance of thermosiphon is observed. Accordingly, the rising of system pressure will result in noticeable savings. Relative to the uniform heat loading of the data rack, the thermosiphon shows even more energy-saving potential in concentrated heat loading. This phenomenon is more pronounced at a lower ambient temperature like 20 °C. On the other hand, there is no appreciable energy-saving for the thermosiphon between concentrated and uniform heating loads when the ambient temperature is high (27 °C). Furthermore, the influence of airflow rate was also investigated under various ambient temperatures with a 90% filling ratio and a heating load of 6 kW. The results revealed that the lower airflow rate in the thermosiphon yields comparatively better energy-saving than the higher flow rate. The study on the influence of using two STPTLs indicated that 15–23% energy-saving can be achieved at a 90% filling ratio and 6 kW heating load for all the studied ambient conditions if compared with testing each loop separately. Lower thermal resistance is seen at the higher filling ratios, ambient temperatures, and heating loads.

     

Diffusion of Quinine with Ethanol as a Co-Solvent in Supercritical CO2

This study aims at contributing to quinine extraction using supercritical CO₂ and ethanol as a co-solvent. The diffusion coefficients of quinine in supercritical CO₂ are measured using the Taylor dispersion technique when quinine is pre-dissolved in ethanol. First, the diffusion coefficients of pure ethanol in the supercritical state of CO₂ were investigated in order to get a basis for seeing a relative change in the diffusion coefficient with the addition of quinine. We report measurements of the diffusion coefficients of ethanol in scCO₂ in the temperature range from 304.3 to 343 K and pressures of 9.5, 10 and 12 MPa. Next, the diffusion coefficients of different amounts of quinine dissolved in ethanol and injected into supercritical CO₂ were measured in the same range of temperatures at p = 12 Mpa. At the pressure p = 9.5 MPa, which is close to the critical pressure, the diffusion coefficients were measured at the temperature, T = 343 K, far from the critical value. It was found that the diffusion coefficients are significantly dependent on the amount of quinine in a small range of its content, less than 0.1%. It is quite likely that this behavior is associated with a change in the spatial structure, that is, the formation of clusters or compounds, and a subsequent increase in the molecular weight of the diffusive substance.     

Structural trends of 29Si–1H spin–spin coupling constants across double bond

The calculations of geminal and vicinal ²⁹Si–¹H spin–spin coupling constants across double bond in 15 alkenylmethylsilanes and alkenylchlorosilanes were carried out at the second‐order polarization propagator approach level in a good agreement with experiment. Two structural trends, namely, (i) the geometry of the coupling pathway and (ii) the effect of the electrowithdrawing substituent, have been interpreted in terms of the natural J‐coupling analysis within the framework of the natural bond orbital approach. Thus, the marked difference between cisoidal and transoidal ²⁹Si–¹H spin–spin coupling constants across double bond was accounted for the delocalization contributions including bonding and antibonding Si–C and C–H orbitals, whereas the chlorine effect was explained in terms of the steric contributions including bonding Si–Cl orbitals. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Perthamides C-F, potent human antipsoriatic cyclopeptides

Two new cyclopeptides, perthamides E and F were isolated from the polar extracts of the sponge Theonella swinhoei. The new structures, featuring an unprecedented β-amino acid unit (AHMOA), were determined by interpretation of NMR and MS data. The absolute configuration of the AHMOA residue was proposed on the basis of quantum chemical calculation of NMR chemical shifts. Perthamides were proved to inhibit TNF-α and IL-8 release in primary human keratinocytes cells and therefore could represent potentially leads for the treatment of psoriasis.